The Snake

When, after days of rain,

The sun appears

The snake emerges,

Green-gold on the grass.

Kept in so long,

He basks for hours

Soaks up the hot bright sun.

Knowing how shy he is of me,

I walk a gentle pace

Letting him doze in peace.

But to the snake, earth-bound,

Each step must sound like thunder.

He glides away,

Goes underground.

I’ve known him for some years:

A harmless green grass-snake

Who, when he sees me on the path,

Uncoils and disappears.